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Australia and the European Union (EU) have now concluded negotiations for an Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement (A-EU FTA), a comprehensive, progressive, and commercially meaningful free trade agreement.
This landmark deal will further strengthen Australia’s economic and strategic partnership with the EU, unlocking a massive, high-income market of around 450 million consumers with a GDP of about $30 trillion.
Once fully implemented, 98% of the current value of Australia’s goods exports will enter the EU duty-free, delivering new market opportunities for many key Australian industries.
Goods
Once fully implemented, 94.8% of the value of Australia’s agricultural exports will enter the EU duty-free. Tariffs will be eliminated on:
- Wine
- Tree nuts
- Barley
- Seafood
- Onions, carrots
- Honey, and
- Olive oil.
Australians will be able to benefit from the agreement once it enters into force, which could take up to two years.
For detailed information on the A-EU FTA agreement, please visit the A-EU FTA page on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website.
Source: Austrade | Image: iStock
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is pleased to invite WA food and beverage businesses to attend the "Meet the Buyer - Singapore" webinar.
This session is designed to support WA exporters to prepare for buyer meetings and refine their market approach ahead of the FHA Singapore in April 2026. With a focus on this strategically important market, the webinar will provide practical, high-level guidance to assist businesses to maximise their impact during discussions with buyers.
Delivered by Export Connect, this webinar is tailored specifically for WA food and beverage businesses and will draw on the expertise of in-market specialists who will provide actionable insights into the Singapore market.
Key topics include:
Singapore market overview
- Economic and demographic landscape
- Consumer and societal trends
- Channel trends across retail, foodservice and e-commerce
- Cultural considerations for doing business and buyer etiquette.
Market entry and commercial considerations
- Common buyer expectations and how to prepare for meetings
- Top line essentials for preparing your pitch deck.
Live Q&A with in-market experts
Date and time
- Thursday 9 April, 10:30 AM - 12:00 noon AWST
- Register now
This online webinar is free to attend. The webinar link will be delivered closer to the event date. There will also be a pre-departure briefing for those travelling to FHA 2026.
Source and image: DPIRD
The shires of Exmouth, Carnarvon and Shark Bay are now eligible for recovery assistance measures, impacted by Ex-Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle, through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Under the funding arrangements, disaster assistance is available for individuals and families, businesses, local government, and State Government agencies. Impacted residents can contact the Department of Communities Disaster Relief Hotline on 1800 032 965.
Impacted businesses, local governments, and State agencies can call the Department of Fire and Emergency Services Recovery Funding on 1800 920 659 to discuss assistance measures and eligibility requirements.
Interest rate subsidies are available for directly impacted small businesses, as well as assistance for local government and State Government agencies to support the repair of essential public asset that were damaged.
The Western Australian Government is continuing to liaise with impacted local governments and State Government agencies to determine the full extent of the impacts. Further assistance measures may be made available if required.
For more information on assistance eligibility, please visit:
Source: WA Govt | Image: iStock
Climate Ready is a free program supporting WA small businesses prepare for the impacts of a changing climate.
Delivered by the Small Business Development Corporation on behalf of the State Government, the program delivers practical workshops, tools and resources to help businesses understand their climate risks and opportunities, plan ahead and reduce disruption.
Eligible businesses that attend a Climate Ready workshop may also apply for limited grant funding to support the implementation of their plans.
To learn more about what the Climate Ready Program offers, please visit the Small Business Development Corporation website.
Source: Small Business Development Corporation | Image: iStock
South Korea has quickly risen to become one of Australia’s top four global markets, driven by the establishment of the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA) and strong consumer demand for Australian red meat.
However, 2026 has seen ongoing discussions around the quota safeguard which, after being exceeded, sees a tariff rate increase from 5.3% to 24%.
Travis Brown, MLA Regional Manager for Japan and Korea, shared his insights in the latest episode of the 'On the Ground' podcast.
“Last year, we hit our quota around mid-September. This year, it looks like we'll probably hit that quota towards the end of July. That will be the earliest we've ever hit the quota in Korea,” Travis said.
Despite constraints surrounding shifting tariff rates, Travis believes it shows the strength of Aussie beef in the Korean market. While acknowledging current export constraints surrounding the Korean quota safeguard, he remains optimistic about future access.
“Once we get through to the 2028–2029 period in particular – when KAFTA tariff rates fall to zero – we will have very strong access to the market,” Travis said.
As Korean consumers continue to value convenience and free time more, they have welcomed the expansion of red meat availability through e-commerce platforms and mid-sized convenience stores in suburban areas.
Source: MLA | Image: DPIRD
Further information
Agribusiness, commercial fishing and aquaculture news from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). If you have any questions or information to share, please email export@dpird.wa.gov.au.
Subscribe to Western Australian Agrifood Export eNews.
Important disclaimer
The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it.
Copyright © State of Western Australia (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development), 2026.
